Improvement in machines for making wire cylinders



".PETERS. PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHEIL WASHINGTON.

Ur 'raras PATENT OFFICE.

OYRUS HfLATHAll/I, OF LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN MACHINES FOR MAKING WIRE CYLINDERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 113,779, dated April18, 1871.

I, OYRUs H. LATHAM, of Lowell, in the county of Middlesex and State ofMassachusetts, have invented a new and Improved Machine for Forming WireCylinders, to be used in constructing cups, baskets, Ste., of which thefollowing is a specification:

Nature cmd Objects of the Intention.

My invention relates t0 the construction of what I call twisted-wirecylinders, which are formed of pieces of wire bent to the proper shape,and twisted together in the manner hereinafter described; and it has forits object the production of these cylinders in such sizes and shapesthat they can be used in the manufacture of cups for holdingcaster-bottles, fruit, cake, and other baskets, holders for glasses, &c.

Description of the Drawing.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my machine. Fig. 2 is an end view fromthe right-hand side of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a view 0f the frame andsupporting-mandrel. Fig. 4l is a longitudinal section of one of therevolving mandrels; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section through the formerG and the central mandrel. Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are views of the former G.Fig. 9 is a view of a cylinder complete after being removed from themachine and Fig. l0 illustrates the form ofthe wires of which thecylinders are composed.

General Description.

The upright plate A, bolted to the table, constitutes the frame ofthemachine. lt supports at its center the stationary mandrel B, and isbored to receive the revolving` mandrels D. The central mandrel is heldat right angles to the frame, and the revolving mandrels are arranged ina conical form around it. The revolving mandrels are driven by thepinions E 0n the collars a, which mesh with the central gear, G,on theshaftfM, and each mandrel is provided with a feather, e, which slides ina groove in the collar a., so that the ends of the mandrels that seizethe wires may be adjusted to forni a circle of greater or lesserdiameter, according to the distance the mandrels are moved inthevcollars a.. The mandrels and collars revolve in the bearings F inthe frame. The spindles d, which slide inthe vmandrels D, operate toclose the levers c slide upon 4the mandrel B, and its outer face is madeof a conical shape, with a series of grooves to receive and hold theWires to be twisted. A pin, 1'., in the inner face slides in a groove,Z, in the mandrel B, so that the former G is prevented from turning outot' place, and the ends of the wires are always presented in properposition to the revolving mandrels.

In order to hold the wires properly on the former, a cap, H, is arrangedt0 slide upon the tube g-a part of the former-and lit over the end, soas to embrace the curved ends of the wires, and hold them in the groovesm. A pin, h, in the inner face of the cap H, slides in the cam-groove k,so that as the handle J is forced down the cap will be pressed and heldagainst the former.

The cap I serves as a gage to regulate the position of the former G whenrst placed upon the mandrel. It is provided with a screw,1f, so arrangedthat it governs the distance of the end of the cap from the end of themandrel.

When the cap I is in position on the mandrel, and the end g of theformer G is brought up against it, as shown in Fig. 5, the ends of thewires on the former will be inserted the proper distance in therevolving mandrels to be seized by the levers c. The travel ot' theformer on the mandrel is governed by the adjustable collar b, held inplace on the mandrel by a setscrew.

When the wires or, Fig. l0, are laid in the grooves m, a rubber band isslipped over them around the former, to hold them temporarily in placeuntil the former is placed on the man drel B and the cap H brought intoposition t0 hold them.

The flange of the cap H serves to hold the curved ends of the wires inplace against the circular edges o on the former, so that the wires,during the operation of twisting, will be drawn against the curves o andreceive the proper shape. y

After the former is adjusted on the mandrel B by means of the cap l, asbefore described, the spindles a are driven forward to close the leversc, and the machine is ready to be operated.

By turning the handle K the wires x will be twisted and the mandrel Gdrawn forward on yAfter the cylinders, Fig; 9, are removed from l themachine they are shaped by dies or other wise for their intendedpurpose.

Claims.

I claim as my invention- V 1. The combination ofthe following elements asupporting-mandrel, B, a holder or'former,

G, and a series f revolvingmandrels, D, constructed, arranged, andoperating substantially as described and specified.

2. The combination, with the revolving inandrels D, of the mechanism, orequivalent thereof, for clamping the wires to be twisted, substan-tiallyas described and specified.

3. The combination, with the former Gr, of the flanged cap H, or itsequivalent, for coverin g and holding the curved ends of the wiressubstantially as described and specified.

4. The herein-described machine for making twisted-wire cylinders,constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as described andgspecied.

CYRUS H. LATHAM.

n Witnesses:

L. A. MCARTHUR,

H. F. SLOCUM.

